Please bear with me on this. I’m not very good at articulating myself across very well when under stress, so I might go on a bit, and I’ll try not to dripfeed.
I work as a receptionist for the NHS in a busy outpatient clinic. I don’t work directly for the clinic itself, but under a different dept and different manager.
I’m left to work on my own sometimes, and as I’ve worked there a long while, I have developed a routine which seems to work well. It means everything is done on time, most of the staff seem happy with my work, and I get on with the staff. Until now.
Over the last few weeks, a situation with one of my colleagues has developed that I’m not happy with.
My colleague “Jane” is the admin assistant for the clinic. She is a band higher than me, and has worked for the dept for much longer.
Jane has always been a bit funny with me, trying to undermine my work, then when I went through a period of training people to do my role, she told them (and all the world) I was doing it wrong.
I ignored her, and for a while things seemed ok, but she has suddenly started coming down from her office, and is constantly asking me to help her do her job. Being the way she has with me, plus we are going through a very busy period, I declined (very nicely).
But Jane has now took it to a higher level, by asking other staff in the clinic to ask me to help her, and when I decline (different job, different pay scale, I’m busy etc) they are saying I’m being cruel and unhelpful to Jane. I’m gutted that they are saying this. I feel she has deliberately turned people against me.
It doesn’t help that she comes and goes when she pleases,, with her phone stuck to her ear constantly. There is always a crisis in the family, and she has to leave suddenly, then moans on her return she hasn’t done such a such, then, yes you’ve guessed it: she comes to ask me for help.
I’ve tried talking to Jane’s manager about the constant requests for help, but Jane is a favourite so I dont get far, and she seems scared of her.
What do I do? Is it wise to speak to my own manager about this, or is that a bad idea? I mean, what would I say? It sounds laughable, but it’s no laughing matter.
I’m sorry if some of this sounds petty. I never ask Jane for help. I keep myself to myself mostly, I get on with it, and until now I got on with the people I work with. I was so happy. That’s what stresses me the most.
What do I do? What would you do? Am I in the wrong ?